Heightened security and fear grip Pakistan-Administered Kashmir amid renewed border tensions
Department of Research, Studies and International News 02-05-2025
Tensions between India and Pakistan have once again surged, prompting serious security precautions across Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Following a deadly incident in Indian-controlled Kashmir that killed 26 people, regional authorities have begun implementing emergency measures, including the closure of over 1,000 religious institutions and preparations for potential conflict scenarios.
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam, located in India-administered Kashmir, has dramatically escalated diplomatic and military friction between the neighboring countries. New Delhi has pointed the finger at Islamabad, alleging that Pakistan was behind the ambush. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has since authorized the country’s military to respond with full operational autonomy.
Pakistan, however, has firmly denied any involvement in the incident. Officials in Islamabad claim to possess reliable intelligence that India is preparing a retaliatory military strike in the coming days. Pakistan’s government has issued warnings that any offensive action will provoke a firm and immediate response.
Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan’s Information Minister, issued a televised alert early Wednesday, stating that a possible Indian assault could take place within 24 to 36 hours. In anticipation of such a scenario, a 10-day suspension has been announced for all madrassas in the region.
Hafiz Nazeer Ahmed, who oversees religious affairs in the area, confirmed that this decision was taken as a safety measure amid mounting border tensions. An internal source from his department further elaborated that the precautionary step was in direct response to the heightened risk of confrontation at the Line of Control (LoC), the unofficial border separating Indian- and Pakistan-administered parts of Kashmir.
Approximately 1.5 million civilians reside in areas adjacent to the LoC in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. With memories of past hostilities fresh in their minds, many residents have begun reinforcing or building underground bunkers. For those with limited resources, these makeshift shelters are often made of mud and stone, while wealthier families are able to afford concrete reinforcements.
One resident of Chakothi, a village near the LoC, described the sense of constant anxiety that has engulfed the community. “We’ve been living in a state of fear for the past week, especially worried about our children’s safety,” said 44-year-old shopkeeper Iftikhar Ahmad Mir. “We’ve told them not to linger outside after school and to come straight home.”
Meanwhile, emergency services in Muzaffarabad, the administrative capital of the region, have initiated preparedness programs in schools. Children are being trained in basic first aid, emergency evacuation procedures, and fire response. Eleven-year-old Ali Raza shared his experience, saying, “They taught us how to treat wounds, carry injured people, and even how to put out fires.”
While a formal military response from India remains uncertain, Prime Minister Modi chaired another high-level security meeting on Wednesday, the second since the Pahalgam incident. Indian media reports suggest strategic planning is underway, although details remain undisclosed.
In the background, both countries have engaged in intermittent gunfire along the LoC. Diplomatic ties have also taken a hit, with India closing its airspace to Pakistani flights, mirroring a move by Islamabad that had already barred Indian aircraft.
On the international stage, multiple voices have urged restraint. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appealed to Washington to encourage India to adopt a more measured tone and approach. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also called for calm, according to a statement from the State Department, urging both countries to lower the temperature and seek peaceful solutions.
White House spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the United States has requested Pakistan’s cooperation in investigating the recent attack. Meanwhile, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced that Guterres has spoken with both Prime Minister Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, offering mediation to prevent further escalation.
Speculation over how India might respond has fueled widespread concern. In previous instances of cross-border violence, India has utilized a wide array of tactics, including limited military raids, publicized strikes, and full-scale aerial bombardments. One of the most notable escalations occurred in 2019, following the Pulwama bombing, where 40 Indian security personnel were killed. In retaliation, India launched airstrikes on Pakistani territory.
The broader context of this conflict dates back to the partition of British India in 1947, after which Kashmir became a point of contention between India and Pakistan. Armed groups in Indian-administered Kashmir have pushed for independence or a merger with Pakistan since 1989, often sparking deadly confrontations.
As regional tensions rise yet again, civilians on both sides of the border remain on edge, preparing for the worst while hoping for diplomatic resolution.
